However, the implementation process is still facing many difficulties and challenges, and the question now is: What can be done to accelerate the digitalization of cultural heritage?
Many historical sites and museums are no longer just places to "view" artifacts and listen to monotonous explanations. A transformation is underway: the public visits museums not only to learn but also to experience, interact, and even "live with" heritage in entirely new ways. Digital technology has become a supporting tool, giving heritage a "new life."
From "seeing" to "experiencing"
Not long ago, the question "why do young people visit museums and historical sites so infrequently?" was a common concern for many institutions. Cultural institutions like the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, despite possessing tens of thousands of valuable artifacts, including many national treasures and classic works, still have limited public accessibility. The public knows about the museum, but isn't truly captivated by it.
Today's public is no longer interested in one-way information reception. The explosion of social media, short videos , and other forms of fast-paced interactive content has changed consumption habits, attracting a large audience.
Capitalizing on this trend, short videos on platforms like TikTok, thought-provoking questions instead of academic lectures, and content series connecting art with everyday life have helped the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum move beyond traditional exhibition spaces and into real life. A painting is no longer just a "work of art," but becomes a story, even about familiar things like meals, colors, or cultural memories.
Notably, this shift has expanded accessibility for the public. Questions such as "Why do lacquer paintings have depth?", "Why are Vietnamese silk paintings different from those of Japan and China?" have brought specialized knowledge to millions in an easily understandable, memorable, and shareable way.
While digital content has transformed storytelling in fine arts, digital technology has opened up a completely new experiential space in history. With over 200,000 documents and artifacts, the National Museum of History is not only a repository of national memory but also a pioneer in digital transformation. Since 2013, the application of 3D technology in exhibitions has laid the foundation for a new approach: bringing museums to the online environment.
Virtual exhibitions are not just a storage solution, but also a way to extend the "lifespan" of exhibits that have a limited lifespan in physical space. When entering a 3D space, viewers are no longer limited by distance or time. A single click can take them through historical periods, allowing them to stop at individual artifacts and observe intricate details that might be restricted in a physical setting.
More importantly, it's about interactivity. No longer a one-way journey, viewers can choose their own approach: listening to narration, viewing images, rewatching multiple times, or even "meeting" historical figures and historians to gain a deeper understanding of the context and value of the artifacts. Heritage, therefore, is no longer something that has ended in the past, but becomes a vibrant flow capable of engaging in dialogue with the present.
At the Temple of Literature - National University in Hanoi, digital transformation is being implemented synchronously with QR codes, electronic tickets, mobile applications, interactive screens, etc. According to Dr. Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Cultural and Scientific Activities Center of the Temple of Literature - National University, these tools help visitors access information more quickly and visually, thereby increasing the attractiveness and extending their stay.
A highlight is the "Night Experience at the Temple of Literature - National University" program, where technology blends with performing arts to vividly recreate the atmosphere of the ancient National University. This program attracts visitors, as each experience offers a different feeling.
Building on that success, many historical sites and museums in Hanoi have also innovated, developing experiential tours with technology applications to attract the public. Examples include the "Decoding Thang Long Imperial Citadel" night tour by the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, or the "Sacred Night" program at Hoa Lo Prison with moving stories about revolutionary soldiers.
From there, a new "wave" of experiences emerged, offering tourists more choices, all contributing to the formation of a new experiential ecosystem where heritage is retold in many modern languages.
Expand your reach .
According to Dr. Nguyen Van Doan, Director of the National Museum of History, the application of digital technology has been implemented at the museum quite early, with important milestones such as the 3D virtual museum model from 2013 and the automatic audio guide system from 2014.
However, the real turning point came during the Covid-19 pandemic, when activities such as online tours, "Online History Lessons," and digital education programs were strongly implemented.
“In the context of being unable to receive visitors in person, digital technology has helped museums maintain connections with the public, even expanding their reach beyond traditional geographical boundaries,” Dr. Doan emphasized. These models are not just temporary solutions; they are gradually becoming an important part of long-term development strategies. In 2021, the 3D exhibition “National Treasures” launched with vivid images and rich content, serving a diverse audience from students to researchers. More recently, new technological applications such as AR (augmented reality) continue to be tested, opening up more visual and engaging ways to access heritage. The most evident effect of digital transformation is the change in how the museum approaches the public and expands its reach. "Previously, museum experiences were primarily in-person, but now the exhibition space has been expanded. The public can access heritage anytime, anywhere, especially young people, who are connected to the digital environment," said Dr. Nguyen Van Doan.
The Director of the National History Museum also stated that digital products such as virtual exhibitions, thematic videos, and online databases not only serve visitors but also become useful resources for teaching and learning.
Many teachers and students have used these applications as supporting tools, making the approach to history more visual and engaging. These applications contribute to sparking interest in learning history, fostering love and pride in national culture, especially among the younger generation. In the context of developing digital technology, digitizing artifacts, innovating exhibitions, and enhancing the visitor experience have become inevitable trends for museums.
Dr. Nguyen Anh Minh, Director of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, affirmed: "Applying technology is not just about technical innovation, but a comprehensive transformation in how museums approach the public and promote the value of heritage; when the way stories are told changes, artistic treasures will shine in a way that reflects the times."
One of the most noticeable effects of digital transformation is its ability to spread information. Website visits, virtual exhibitions, thematic videos, and online educational programs not only attract millions of viewers but also become valuable resources for teaching and research.
Therefore, the digital space has contributed to expanding the real-world experience, deepening and extending the journey of discovery. Heritage is no longer confined to galleries, but is present on phone screens, in online classes, or even in everyday conversations. That is its greatest value: in the digital space, heritage is not only preserved, but also given a new life.
(To be continued)
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/bai-1-doi-song-moi-trong-khong-gian-so-225261.html
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